The gang that couldn't shoot straight - Jimmy Breslin

It was a big bestseller when it was originally published in 1969.

It became a major motion picture that provided Robert DeNiro with his first film role.

Its title has entered into the language as a catch phrase.

And it's terrific fun The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight is the story of Papa Baccala, a Brooklyn Mafia boss, and Kid Sally Palumbo, a would-be capo who couldn't run a gas station at a profit even if he stole the customers' cars.

There's also Kid Sally's grandmother, who will go to extravagant lengths to see her boy make his mark.

A love interest? Sure.

Kid Sally's sister tumbles for an artistic type who rides a bicycle and has recently arrived from Calabria.

The high adventure begins with a six-day bike race that is only partly responsible for a rash of obituary notices reading: Died.

Suddenly.

Eventually it all gets worked out in fine Sicilian fashion -- and, in the end, everybody gets his, in a manner of speaking.